Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 95: Mission, Ambush 12

Leng Er secretly shifted half a step, tightened his grip on the sword, his sharp gaze meeting Dongfang Xu’s innocent eyes, and coldly said, "No need for you to worry, Miss Cheng’s safety is my responsibility."

Dongfang Xu’s innocent and wounded eyes moved away from Cheng Xiaoxiao, meeting Leng Er’s gaze which instantly became bloodthirsty and crazed. This man is a master; it’s been a long time since Dongfang Xu was last tempted to fight.

The hatred had always been suppressed by him, constrained, with only a thread of reason—the retrieval of the Cloud Sword, repaying kindness, completing his last bit of goodness in this world before he could, without a care, unleash the darkness and bloodlust within, destroying all who stood in his way.

At this moment, Leng Er was hindering what he needed to do, equivalent to an enemy. The darkness, madness, and bloodlust buried deep within him couldn’t be held back any longer, surging forth from his heart, restless without bloodshed!

Cheng Xiaoxiao sensed the increasingly bizarre atmosphere and the murderously bloodthirsty gaze of Dongfang Xu, shivered involuntarily, and then bravely stepped forward, grabbing Dongfang Xu’s arm, tip-toeing, leaning her whole body close to him, whispering in his ear, "Do you still want your Cloud Sword? Listen to me, and I’ll return the Cloud Sword to you."

The girl’s gentle words carried warm breath, spreading out around his ears, tingling and numbing him, causing the wild violence within him to vanish completely.

The unique, faint fragrance of a girl wafted into his heart like a gentle breeze. Never before had he been so close to a woman; his ears instantly flushed red, the bloodthirsty demon transformed into a bashful puppy, looking helplessly at the arm the girl was holding. Her body heat traveled through the arm into his entire being, constantly heating, his heart racing ever faster.

Meeting the girl’s bright and lively eyes again, she blinked suggestively at him, and then blinked again, her long eyelashes like two small fans fanning his heart into excitement.

Suddenly he felt, perhaps marry her... oh! No, perhaps take her as a bride wasn’t impossible. If he survived after taking revenge, he would marry her. With a resolution made, Dongfang Xu found a pursuit goal, a desire for life, a hope for the future, no longer dark and lonely, smiling, he replied, "Alright!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao exhaled a sigh of relief, not noticing Dongfang Xu’s gentle tone, only feeling he had figured it out. Family heirloom swords are more important, she mused, "Aren’t you all childish? When did I say I’d let you arrange things? Who said I needed you to protect me? Who mentioned I wanted to enter the town? As a weak girl with no ability for self-defense, naturally, I should find a mountain and hide. You all go fight, go, and I’ll wait for your triumphant return."

Cheng Xiaoxiao’s playful words instantly broke the tense atmosphere.

Qian Fusheng said, "Right, it’s a matter for us men, the girl can stay behind and plan; it’s understandable, it’s understandable."

Cheng Xiaoxiao did not give them the chance to regret, directly saying, "Proceed according to plan."

Leng Er was extremely displeased in his heart; whether others noticed or not he didn’t know, but he saw it—the man coveted their Pavilion Master’s woman, looking at Miss Cheng with such tender eyes, almost dripping with affection, deserving death.

Leng Er suppressed his urge to beat someone; even if he’d act, he could only do so secretly.

Turning insistently to Cheng Xiaoxiao, saying, "Follow the lady’s words, I will personally meet Ba Daokui. However, no matter what, the lady cannot be without protection. Why not pick one person from our team to stay and guard you."

Cheng Xiaoxiao did not refuse this time; originally she hadn’t planned to stay in the rear—it was good to have someone she could use.

Scanning around, hmm! That one! She said, pointing to the back row, Qing Shi.

Qing Shiyi looked astonished, pointing to himself, "Me?"

"Yes, you!" Cheng Xiaoxiao looked at the boy’s baby face, fair and cute, and found it quite pleasing.

Moreover, this person seemed to be the weakest among the twenty—facing the enemy, naturally the strong go to the front lines, while the weaker ones were suitably kept for her use.

Happy Qing Shi immediately stepped forward, bowing, "Qing Shi is willing to follow the lady’s orders!"

The other eighteen cast envious, jealous, and hateful looks; they’d been informed in coded language earlier that this Miss Cheng was likely the Pavilion Master’s confidante and must be well-protected, not allowing a single hair to be harmed.

Now that Qing Shi was chosen, wasn’t it a certain chance to get close and favorably impress her?

It’s known that the Dark Pavilion’s talent selection is extremely rigorous, passing through meticulous filtering and harsh training, and eliminating numerous people before qualifying to stand here; aspiring to rise further requires a more perverse examination, surviving by sheer luck not even assured.

How lucky is Qing Shi, possibly advancing faster than anyone else in their group. Could their teeth clench without jealousy?

Qing Shi, full of glee, raised his brows at his companions; his pride was evident.

The rest really wanted to throw this smug chap out for a good thrashing, so what if he looked a bit cuter or was younger? What’s there to boast about? Who hasn’t been young before?

In their private exchanges of glances, undercurrents surged, unnoticed by others, yet stilled after receiving Leng Er’s warning gaze.

Someone entered the cave with news to report at this time.

Qian Fusheng saw it was someone he sent to verify information, immediately letting them in for the report.

After reading the paper, Qian Fusheng informed everyone, "Ah Hu indeed doesn’t know about the betrayal. He needs to verify; tonight’s mission is canceled. We’ll plan after he fishes out the traitor."

Niu Da said, "As long as Ah Hu isn’t the traitor himself, then we... "

Qian Fusheng replied, "We’ll proceed with our planned strategy. Ah Hu’s side has a traitor; likely he’s exposed himself too. Since the bandits haven’t taken action against Ah Hu yet, as we spring the trap ourselves, we’ll seize the initiative and launch a surprise assault."

No one objected; this time they truly had no choice but to make a move—the opportunity was singular.

The operation will start at hour 5; there’s still a bit of time left, so everyone went to prepare.

Cheng Xiaoxiao glanced up briefly, tracking the mission countdown: 09:05:50

Time was growing ever tighter!

Dongfang Xu watched as Leng Er led people outside, leaving only the one called Qing Shi behind, exhaling in relief. Facing the twenty alone without the Cloud Sword, he stood no chance.

He strode over to Cheng Xiaoxiao, "I have something to say to you!"

Qing Shiyi guardedly eyed Dongfang Xu, blocking Cheng Xiaoxiao behind him.

Cheng Xiaoxiao pulled Qing Shi aside, addressing the two men tensely, "You are all here to help deal with bandits, if you can’t coexist peacefully then get out."

She turned to Qing Shi, beginning to rebuke, "Now I’m your boss, understand? What I want to do or not want to do is my freedom; you have no right to interfere. You must heed my directions and not meddle in my affairs."